Wisbech St Mary 0 Stowmarket Town 2
“We are going up, say we are going up!”
Those were the words sung by the Stowmarket Town players as they moved within touching distance of promotion on Saturday.
First-half goals from George Bugg and Remi Garrett secured a comfortable 2-0 win away at Wisbech St Mary for Rick Andrews’ side, who can now only miss out on a top three finish via goal difference.
And while, mathematically at least, Stowmarket are not promoted just yet, one point from their final three games will ensure the Old Gold and Blacks achieve promotion for the first time in their 134-year history.
They can achieve that tomorrow at Debenham Leisure Centre, kick-off 3pm.
Stow made their first trip to Beechings Close on Saturday knowing that if they bettered Woodbridge Town’s result, against title rivals Haverhill Borough, they would be promoted.
And if there were any signs of finishing line jitters for Andrews and his players, they certainly did not show it.
Barely three minutes had elapsed when Stow’s leading goalscorer Bugg took his goal tally for the season to 17, lobbing Wisbech goalkeeper Dan Smith and sending the ball into the back of the net to give the visitors the perfect start.
Stow continued to threaten in the early stages and Bugg had several chances to score again, but he was either thwarted by Smith or fired wide of the target.
At the other end, Wisbech spurned an inviting chance to equalise on 25 minutes. A quick counter attack, orchestrated by Simon Bates, culminated with Drew Barker slicing his shot wide.
It was a miss which would prove costly for the home side, as Stow went on to double their lead five minutes before the break.
Steve Holder’s through ball sent Jack Baker racing towards goal, and he teed-up a free Garrett who sent the ball into the bottom corner to give the visitors some breathing space.
Stowmarket had chances to move out of sight in the second half, with Bugg being denied three times when one-on-one with the Wisbech goalkeeper Smith, but the three points had long been secured and the Greens Meadow club are now on the verge of returning the Premier Division of the Thurlow Nunn.
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